The Lambeth Articles of 1595

Although not a creed or a confession per se, "The Lambeth Articles of 1595", also known as "The Nine Articles" may be considered an explanatory addendum to the law of England and of Anglicans generally, namely articles 9 through 18 of "The 39 Articles of Religion."

The Lambeth addendum was drafted by the ardent Calvinist William Whitaker, Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge in order to counter England's growing affection for Roman doctrine set forth at Rome's Council of Trent and later embraced by Wesleyans and Arminians in the form of "prevenient grace"... and the growing antipathy in England for beloved Reformation doctrines severally known as "Election, "Justification by faith alone" and "The imputation of Christ's righteousness."

Having already been approved by Archbishop Whitgift, the addendum was sent to Cambridge in November 1595 in anticipation of being formally appended to the Articles of Religion, and it would have been if only for the Queen's opinion that the Lambeth Articles had not received her prior sanction. In the end, Whitgift instructed that they should be used "privately and with discretion."

Being Reformed, we are not constrained by the state’s presumption of supremacy over the Church nor by an archbishop’s halfway submission to it, and so we may consider these Articles as having been approved, which they were.

The Lambeth Articles of 1595

The moving or efficient cause of predestination unto life is not the foresight of faith, or of perseverance, or of good works, or of any thing that is in the person predestinated, but only the good will and pleasure of God.

There is predetermined a certain number of the predestinate, which can neither be augmented nor diminished.

Those who are not predestinated to salvation shall be necessarily damned for their sins.

A true, living, and justifying faith, and the Spirit of God justifying [sanctifying], is not extinguished, falleth not away; it vanisheth not away in the elect, either finally or totally.

A man truly faithful, that is, such a one who is endued with a justifying faith, is certain, with the full assurance of faith, of the remission of his sins and of his everlasting salvation by Christ.

Saving grace is not given, is not granted, is not communicated to all men, by which they may be saved if they will.

No man can come unto Christ unless it shall be given unto him, and unless the Father shall draw him; and all men are not drawn by the Father, that they may come to the Son.